Sphere Knight Levin made Paladin 7/09/3132
by Rene O. Collman, ComStar
REZ, KERVIL—Sir Jonah Levin, Knight of the Sphere, was made a Paladin of the
Republic at the Temple of All Paths in Rez, capital city of Kervil, this morning. His
appointment and ascension comes in the wake of Paladin Isabella Druchet’s
announcement three months ago that she was stepping down due to ill health.
Sir Levin’s ascension to Paladin was not unexpected. Coming to Devlin Stone’s
attention after the battle for Kurragin in 3110, Jonah Levin was the only officer to
survive that bloody assault. Knighted in 3111 and granted a boon from Exarch Stone,
Levin made a request for aide to the survivors of the men and women who died on
Kurragin, a request that showed not only a sense of justice but a strong social
consciousness as well. “Levin’s Survivors” have prospered, contributing many times
over their share of service to the Republic.
With twenty-one years of service behind him, Levin, 50, is one of the veteran
Knights, a Mentor, and Exarch Redburn’s Knight-icon of humility. He is also the first
Jew to be made a Paladin of the Sphere. Conflicting sources suggest that the death of
Levin’s youngest child either delayed or confirmed his appointment. Yael Miri Levin
died only two months short of completing her five years of service to The Republic in
preparation for her citizenship. Jonah Levin requested two months’ recusal of duties
to finish Yael’s service so that her death certificate would reflect her citizenship. It is
a service he has performed eight times during his long career, but the first time it was
necessary for a family member. It made Levin’s ascension a time for reflection as
well as celebration.
So today, Sir Jonah Levin, still mourning a daughter and having paid his respects to
Paladin Druchet, waited on a formal dais in the non-denominational chapel where he
had spent the night in meditation. The seven attending Knights of the Sphere filed in
first, including Paladin Kaffyd Op Owens who stood in for Exarch Redburn. They
stood at seven cardinal points in the first circle. The second tier approached and
surrounded Sir Levin, including important members of Kervil’s nobility and high
officers from Republic units on Kervil and three nearby worlds. Immediate family and
friends made up the third and last tier. Republic, comrades, and family.
Such are the loyalties of a Paladin.
The ceremonial sword, carried from Terra at the order of the Exarch, was born into
the ascension by Jonah’s wife, Anna. Last to arrive, she was escorted through the
third tier by their eldest son and through the second by Kervil governor Madison
Hasaki. Sir Op Owens accepted the ceremonial sword, the same blade Devlin Stone
acquired during his escape and flight from the Word of Blake reeducation center. He
used it to re-knight Jonah Levin and raise him, this time as a Paladin of the Sphere.
Levin requested, and was granted, an addition to the traditional ascension ceremony,
recitation of the Jewish prayer celebrating and blessing new beginnings. It was
deemed by celebrants and guests alike a fitting conclusion to the ceremony.
by Rene O. Collman, ComStar
REZ, KERVIL—Sir Jonah Levin, Knight of the Sphere, was made a Paladin of the
Republic at the Temple of All Paths in Rez, capital city of Kervil, this morning. His
appointment and ascension comes in the wake of Paladin Isabella Druchet’s
announcement three months ago that she was stepping down due to ill health.
Sir Levin’s ascension to Paladin was not unexpected. Coming to Devlin Stone’s
attention after the battle for Kurragin in 3110, Jonah Levin was the only officer to
survive that bloody assault. Knighted in 3111 and granted a boon from Exarch Stone,
Levin made a request for aide to the survivors of the men and women who died on
Kurragin, a request that showed not only a sense of justice but a strong social
consciousness as well. “Levin’s Survivors” have prospered, contributing many times
over their share of service to the Republic.
With twenty-one years of service behind him, Levin, 50, is one of the veteran
Knights, a Mentor, and Exarch Redburn’s Knight-icon of humility. He is also the first
Jew to be made a Paladin of the Sphere. Conflicting sources suggest that the death of
Levin’s youngest child either delayed or confirmed his appointment. Yael Miri Levin
died only two months short of completing her five years of service to The Republic in
preparation for her citizenship. Jonah Levin requested two months’ recusal of duties
to finish Yael’s service so that her death certificate would reflect her citizenship. It is
a service he has performed eight times during his long career, but the first time it was
necessary for a family member. It made Levin’s ascension a time for reflection as
well as celebration.
So today, Sir Jonah Levin, still mourning a daughter and having paid his respects to
Paladin Druchet, waited on a formal dais in the non-denominational chapel where he
had spent the night in meditation. The seven attending Knights of the Sphere filed in
first, including Paladin Kaffyd Op Owens who stood in for Exarch Redburn. They
stood at seven cardinal points in the first circle. The second tier approached and
surrounded Sir Levin, including important members of Kervil’s nobility and high
officers from Republic units on Kervil and three nearby worlds. Immediate family and
friends made up the third and last tier. Republic, comrades, and family.
Such are the loyalties of a Paladin.
The ceremonial sword, carried from Terra at the order of the Exarch, was born into
the ascension by Jonah’s wife, Anna. Last to arrive, she was escorted through the
third tier by their eldest son and through the second by Kervil governor Madison
Hasaki. Sir Op Owens accepted the ceremonial sword, the same blade Devlin Stone
acquired during his escape and flight from the Word of Blake reeducation center. He
used it to re-knight Jonah Levin and raise him, this time as a Paladin of the Sphere.
Levin requested, and was granted, an addition to the traditional ascension ceremony,
recitation of the Jewish prayer celebrating and blessing new beginnings. It was
deemed by celebrants and guests alike a fitting conclusion to the ceremony.
| July 9, 3132 |